Knaresborough St John's C of E Primary School

• setting the Academy's values, vision and strategic direction
• challenging and supporting the Academy by continually monitoring, reviewing and evaluating its performance
• ensuring that the Academy is accountable to its children, the local community, those who fund and maintain it, and the staff it employs.

Governors are also responsible for monitoring the Academy's finances, checking that resources are being managed well and helping with the appointment of staff.

Elevate Governance:

As a multi-academy trust, Elevate is a charitable company limited by guarantee. This means that Elevate is a single legal entity, but it has several Academies within its family. Currently, Elevate has 14 Primary Academies. These are mainly situated across North Yorkshire with 1 Academy in West Yorkshire.

Elevate and their Academies work in collaboration with a single shared vision. The governance structure is designed to reflect the overall responsibility of the Board of Trustees, the (operational) leadership of the CEO supported by the School Improvement Team for education and the Operational Team; for the day to day running of the Academies by the Executive Head Teachers (EHT) and Head teachers coupled with the value of local experience and understanding of the LGBs in assessing the performance of our Academy and their interaction with the local community.

Elevate has established 3 key layers of governance: 

• Members
• Trustees
• Local Governors 

Although Elevate’s Trustees are accountable for all of the Academies within the Trust, it highly values the work undertaken by local governors in supporting, and challenging, our Academies and senior leadership teams to deliver high quality and inclusive education.

Elevate LGBs have a pivotal role in the overall framework of the Trust by having:

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of their Academies;
• Sustaining uniqueness of their Academy whilst aligning with Elevate’s educational vision;
• Forging and maintaining links with their community;
• Providing the vital governance link between themselves and Trustees to enable the Trustees to carry out their responsibilities as leaders of the Trust.

The different responsibilities overseen by Trustees and Local Governors are set out in the Scheme of Delegation, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Link to Scheme of Delegation

Link to Articles of Association

Ann Westmoreland: Co-opted governor and chair.  Ann is a graduate of the University of Leeds. Initially she trained as and then worked as a Radiographer at Harrogate District Hospital before moving to Seacroft Hospital to train in Radiography Education in the NHS.  Ann has recently retired as a Radiography Lecturer from the University of Leeds.  Since retiring Ann now volunteers at Knaresborough St John’s school in the school library and helping children with their reading.  Ann is also a member of a local literary group.

Katherine Demir: Co opted Governor

Katherine is a graduate of York St John’s University who after graduating with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science entered the world of retail management. She has managed large stores in London and Yorkshire and now is a Head of Retail working with two Skincare brand in stores such as Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. Her experience with large companies and teams is extensive and includes, health and safety, risk management, business management, finance, relationship building and coaching and development.

Katherine is also a regular attender at St. John’s Church Knaresborough and has previously run a Brownie unit

Katherine has lived in Knaresborough since 2012 and is passionate about the school, church and bringing the community together.

David Sapherson: Co opted Governor

Elaine Armes: Co-opted Governor

Elaine is a graduate of Bradford University with a degree in Industrial Technology and Management. She has worked in a variety of technical positions for engineering and IT companies.

Whilst her children were young she ran her own mail order and publishing  business.

Now retired from project management and implementation with a software company she is a member of the PCC at St Johns Church and enjoys textiles, history and art.

Lindsay Richardson: Staff Governor

After studying at Newcastle and York St John's University, Lindsay worked at Markington Primary School for 4 years before joining the St John's family. She has enjoyed teaching throughout KS1 and is now the school Senco and Deputy Headteacher. Lindsay is passionate about teaching and learning and has been a Governor for over 10 years.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, snowboarding and holidays with family and friends.

Revd Garry Hinchcliffe: Ex Officio Foundation Governor

After University, Jessie taught English in primary schools in Madrid and Barcelona before returning to the UK and pursuing a career in training and governance for large corporate companies. Her experience includes senior stakeholder engagement and management as well as establishing and running a new business. Jessie and her family live in central Knaresborough and she is passionate about supporting her local school and community. 

 Catrina Spencer: Parent Governor

 After graduating from Leeds University with a History degree, Catrina then went on to completing a PGCE at York St Johns. She has spent her 15 years of teaching in all year groups from reception to Year 6 and had lots of different roles, including English subject leader and head of key stage. Currently Catrina is working in a primary school as SENCO, inclusion and well-being lead. She has 2 children who attend St Johns.

Luke Bedford: Deputy Headteacher and Associate Member

CLERK TO THE GOVERNORS

Mrs Dianne Mousley

Governors:

Tracey Dunne left the governing body on 15th July 2021 due to non attendance 

Chris Smith resigned 18.11.2021

Miranda Newbury resigned 18.11.2021